The Washington critic., 1887-03-01
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

AVA Atb VI Ah1 OAAs
A correspondent Of tho New York
Herald says: OF Mrs. Maria Hunter,
widow Of General David Hunter, who
died here Feb. 81 1T is said by those who
know that she was the last survivor Of
the massacre at Fort Dearborn, which
was on the site Of the city of Chicago.
Her father, Mr.. Kinzie, was the agent
Of the American Fur Company and
traded with the Indians, and Mrs.
Hunter was the first child of white
parents born on the site Of the great
city Of Chicago. When she was mar
ried at Fort Dearborn to Lieutenant
David Hunter, United States Army, In
1928, the wedding occurred. OF the
house Of her elder sister, the wife of
the Rev. DR.. Walcott, formerly of Con.
necticut, who was an Indian agent.
Lieutenant Hunter had to send 100
miles to Peoria, ILL.,, to get o mar.
riage license. He and his wife
lived very happily together for
Ss SSs5 death n IN this civ wear Sro az Thev as
were married about flfty-eight years.
nj thc tiIiu VI tuc unhSshCtc dt TOEt
Dearborn an elder sister Of Mrs. Hun
ter, who afterward became Mrs. Helm,
was saved by friendly Indians, who
took her into the lake and kept her
there until oil danger was over. Gen.
eral Hunter used to mention with great
satisfaction that he was appointed q
midshipman by Paul Hamilton before
he was ten years old, and he kept that
commission until he received his ap-
polntment at West Point, when, pre-.
ferring that branch of the service, he
went into the army and remained In 1t
the rest of his life.
~
The late'Dr. Updegraff, member of
Congress from Ohio, though very close
to being Quaker, was thoroughly
good fellow, and made friends on sight,
says the New York Comment. He
loved fine horse, too, and was always
ready to talk on the subject with any
one who had taste't that way. While
he was in the House, the present Sen.
ator Blackburn Of Kentucky was also
member, and the two men, although
Of different political faith, were warm
personal friends. One day Mr.. Black.
burn was In the chair, la the absence
Of the Speaker, and there was rush
among the members to get the floor. A
half dozen or more men were up. and
the chairman recognized DR.. Upde-
graf. That evening the two men met.
Maybe you don't understand why /
recognized you to day. Doctor, instead
Of one of my Democratic friends"
said Mr.. Blackburn In his genial way.
well, no, / don't, but / am just as
much obliged 10 you, for 1t was of con.
siderable Importance to me to have
recognition just as did. appreciate
1t, assure you" Don't mention 1t,
and don't laugh at me, but l did 1t just
because you talk horse to me-" Joe
Blackburn Is Kentuckian clean
through and clinched.
~
A modest and unassuming woman is
the wife of Congressman tom"
Bayne of Allegheny City, says the
Pittsburg Leader. She has from two
to four hundred thousand dollars in
her own right. She has a wonderful
country house at Bellevue, few
miles down the Ohio. 1t is perfectly
round In shape and has some remarka.
bly, odd rooms. A round hall In the
centre, following closely the lines of
the house, Is lit by q skylight. Mrs.
Bayne never forgets old acquaintances.
1t Is said that she recently astonished
Capitol society by chaperoning rural
party through the Department build.
ings and the galleries Of the Senate
and House. Mrs. Bayne's friends
were poorly attired, yet they found a
hearty welcome from the wealthy Con.
greseman's wife. She had once
boarded with them In their simple
mountain home In Pennsylvania.
~.
Says "Bystander" In the Philadel.
phia Ners: The daughter Of General
George II. Sheridan, the famous orator
and wit, Is member of Richard Mans.
fields "Prince Karl" company. As
George" Is q relative of Little Phil"
Misc Emma Is q cousin of the General
of the United States armies. Never.
theless she is a modest, hard working
and ambitious little lady, and as she
would be no kin to her talented father
II she did not possess talent, her prog
ress Is likely to be very rapid. Any
one who has ever heard her papa tell a
story while making political speech
will readily believe that the stage lost q
great comedian when he engaged In
other pursuits. saw him one night
when he came near playing very i'm.
portant role In what was almost trag.
edy. 1t was In New Orleans during
the stormy times right after the presi.
Dental election of 1876. The election
for State officers of Louisiana took
place at the same time, and Nichols
and Packard were the candidates for
Governor respectively of the Demo.
cratic and Republican parties. General
George is Republican and "fit into
the war" us such. He had been active 10
behalf of Hayes and Packard. One night
while the canvass of the State vote was
in pi ogress before the Returning Board
of fragrant memory, he walked into
the rotupda OF the st. Charles Hotel
with some friends. The place was
crowded at the time and most of those
present were adherents of Tilden and
Nichols, and were In no very good
humor over report that the board was
going TO give the State to the Republi.
cans. Nearly all had more or less
liquor in them, ana though Sheridan
was about the most popular Republican
in the State, his presence seemed 10
irrltate large number of them greatly.
Suddenly well.known doctor pulled
out a huge bowie knife, and, advancing
toward Sheridan, he exclaimed
"Shout for Nichols, or I'll cut your
: ears or" George for moment thought